Coupling device intended to couple a vehicle to a traction cable of a transportation installation

ABSTRACT

This coupling device ( 2 ) comprises a support body ( 4 ); a first clamping jaw ( 8 ); a clamping element ( 9 ) comprising a second clamping jaw ( 11 ) and a connecting portion ( 12 ), the clamping element ( 9 ) being hingedly mounted on the support body ( 4 ) between a clamping position in which the first and second clamping jaws ( 8, 11 ) are configured to clamp a traction cable ( 3 ) and a release position of the traction cable ( 3 ); a biasing device ( 25 ) configured to bias the clamping element ( 9 ) towards the clamping position; and an actuation lever ( 15 ) configured to actuate a displacement of the clamping element ( 9 ) between the clamping and release positions thereof, the actuation lever ( 15 ) being hingedly mounted on the support body ( 4 ) between a first stable position in which the clamping element ( 9 ) is in the clamping position, and a second stable position in which the clamping element ( 9 ) is in the release position.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a National Stage of PCT Application No.PCT/FR2016/051482 filed on Jun. 17, 2016, which claims priority toFrench Patent Application No. 15/55562 filed on Jun. 18, 2015, thecontents each of which are incorporated herein by reference thereto.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention concerns a coupling device intended to couple avehicle, for example a cable car or a chairlift, to a traction cable ofa transportation installation.

BACKGROUND

The document U.S. Pat. No. 5,111,751 describes such a coupling devicewhich comprises in particular:

a support body,

a first clamping jaw fixedly mounted relative to the support body,

a clamping element comprising a second clamping jaw and a connecting armincluding a first end portion secured to the second clamping jaw and asecond end portion opposite to the second clamping jaw, the clampingelement being hingedly mounted on the support body about a first hingeaxis between a clamping position in which the first and second clampingjaws are configured to clamp the traction cable and a release positionin which the first and second clamping jaws are configured to releasethe traction cable,

an actuation lever configured to actuate a displacement of the clampingelement between its clamping and release positions, the actuation leverbeing bent and comprising a first lever portion hingedly mounted on theconnecting arm about a second hinge axis between a first position inwhich the clamping element is in the clamping position, and a secondposition in which the clamping element is in the release position, and asecond lever portion equipped with a declutch roller, and

a biasing device configured to bias the clamping element towards theclamping position, the biasing device comprising a first mountingportion hingedly mounted on the actuation lever about a third hingeaxis, and a second mounting portion hingedly mounted on the support bodyabout a fourth hinge axis.

Such a configuration of the coupling device results in that the firstposition of the actuation lever, and therefore of the declutch roller,depends on the diameter of the traction cable portion clamped by thefirst and second clamping jaws. Thus, the position of the declutchroller is likely to vary both horizontally and vertically according tothe diameter of the traction cable portion clamped by the first andsecond clamping jaws. Hence, this results in a high uncertainty on theposition of the declutch roller at the end station entrance.

In order to ensure cooperation between the declutch roller and adeclutch rail disposed at the end station entrance, and therefore arelease of the traction cable, it is thus necessary to provide a complexand considerably wide declutch rail. However, the use of such a declutchrail induces, during the opening of the coupling device, impacts of thedeclutch roller against the declutch rail which are likely to harm tothe operation of the coupling device over time. In addition, suchimpacts cause discomfort and annoyance to the users.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The present invention aims to overcome these drawbacks.

Hence, the technical problem underlying the invention consists inproviding a coupling device which has a simple and reliable structure,while allowing limiting the noise disturbances generated during itsopening.

To this end, the present invention concerns a coupling device intendedto couple a vehicle, for example a cable car or a chairlift, to atraction cable of a transportation installation, the coupling devicecomprising at least:

a support body,

a first clamping jaw fixedly mounted relative to the support body,

a clamping element comprising a second clamping jaw and a connectingportion connected to the second clamping jaw, the clamping element beinghingedly mounted on the support body about a first hinge axis between aclamping position in which the first and second clamping jaws areconfigured to clamp the traction cable and a release position in whichthe first and second clamping jaws are configured to release thetraction cable,

a biasing device configured to bias the clamping element towards theclamping position,

an actuation lever configured to actuate a displacement of the clampingelement between the clamping and release positions thereof, theactuation lever being hingedly mounted on the support body about asecond hinge axis, and

a declutch/clutch element mounted on the actuation lever, thedeclutch/clutch element being intended to cooperate with at least onedeclutch rail and at least one clutch rail extending along thedisplacement path of the coupling device,

the biasing device and the actuation lever being configured so as todefine a plurality of stable positions of the actuation lever includinga first stable position of the actuation lever in which the clampingelement is in the clamping position, and a second stable position of theactuation lever in which the clamping element is in the releaseposition.

Such a configuration of the coupling device, and in particular such ahinged arrangement of the actuation lever on the support body, allowsconsiderably reducing the variations of the first position of theactuation lever, therefore of the declutch roller carried by theactuation lever, according to the diameter of the traction cable portionclamped by the first and second clamping jaws. Thus, these arrangementsallow using simpler and narrower declutch rails, and therefore reducingthe magnitude of the impacts of the declutch roller against the declutchrail during the opening of the coupling device, as well as the noisedisturbances generated during the opening of the coupling device.

Such a hinged arrangement of the actuation lever on the support bodyfurther ensures a displacement of the declutch roller carried by theactuation lever along a circular path, which allows considerablysimplifying the structure of the clutch and declutch rails intended tocooperate with such a declutch roller.

The coupling device may further have one or more of the followingfeatures, considered alone or in combination.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the coupling device isintended to couple a vehicle to a carrier-tractor cable of thetransportation installation.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the connecting portionincludes a first end portion connected to the second clamping jaw and asecond end portion opposite to the second clamping jaw. According to anembodiment of the invention, the connecting portion is a connecting arm.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the actuation lever ishingedly mounted on the support body between the first stable positionin which the clamping element is in the clamping position, and thesecond stable position in which the clamping element is in the releaseposition.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the biasing device and theactuation lever are configured so as to define a toggle.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the actuation levercomprises a stop portion configured to cooperate with the support bodywhen the actuation lever is in the first stable position. Thesearrangements allow suppressing the variations of the first position ofthe actuation lever, and therefore fixing the first position of theactuation lever, regardless of the diameter of the traction cableportion clamped by the first and second clamping jaws. This results inthe possibility of using declutch rails which are simpler and with awidth close to the diameter of the declutch roller carried by theactuation lever, and therefore further reducing the magnitude of theimpacts of the declutch roller against the declutch rail and the noisedisturbances generated during the opening of the coupling device.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the stop portion isdisposed in the vicinity of the second hinge axis.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the stop portion isconfigured to limit the pivoting stroke of the actuation lever towardsthe first and second clamping jaws.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the stop portion comprisesa substantially planar stop surface configured to cooperate with asubstantially planar bearing surface formed on the support body.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the first and second hingeaxes are substantially parallel.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the biasing devicecomprises a first mounting portion hingedly mounted on the connectingportion about a third hinge axis, and a second mounting portion hingedlymounted on the actuation lever about a fourth hinge axis.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the biasing device isinterposed between the connecting portion and the actuation lever.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the coupling device isconfigured so that, when the clamping element is in the clampingposition, the fourth hinge axis is disposed at the side of the first andsecond clamping jaws with respect to an imaginary straight lineconnecting the second and third hinge axes, and so that, when theclamping element is in the release position, the fourth hinge axis isdisposed at the opposite side of the first and second clamping jaws withrespect to the imaginary straight line connecting the second and thirdhinge axes.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the toggle defines analignment point corresponding to the alignment of the second, third andfourth hinge axes.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the toggle comprises atoggle axis formed by the fourth hinge axis.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the first, second, thirdand fourth hinge axes are substantially parallel.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the biasing device furthercomprises a compression spring configured to bias the first and secondmounting portions away from each other.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the normal to the bearingsurface formed on the support body extends substantially parallel to theaxis of the compression spring when the actuation lever is in the firstposition thereof. These arrangements allow taking on all the force ofthe compression spring by the stop portion, and thus not loading thesecond hinge axis in the clamped position of the coupling device.

According to the embodiment represented in the figures, the couplingdevice comprises two biasing devices symmetrically disposed on eitherside of a pivot plane of the actuation lever. According to an embodimentof the invention, the coupling device is configured so that, when theactuation lever is in the first position thereof, the normal to thebearing surface formed on the support body extends substantiallyparallel to the axes of the two compression springs, and is comprised inthe plane formed by these two axes.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the compression springcomprises a first end portion bearing against the first mountingportion, and a second end portion bearing against the second mountingportion.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the second mounting portiondelimits a housing in which the compression spring is housed at leastpartially. These arrangements allow limiting further the risks ofinsertion of a signal cable, belonging to the transportationinstallation and disposed between two strands of the traction cable,between the coils of the compression spring, and therefore the risks ofunintentional opening of the coupling device.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the biasing device furthercomprises a guide rod around which extends the compression spring, theguide rod comprising a first end portion secured to the first mountingportion and a second end portion slidably mounted in a passage openingdelimited by the second mounting portion.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the biasing devicecomprises a stop element configured to limit the expansion of thecompression spring. According to an embodiment of the invention, thestop element is fastened on the guide rod, and for example on the secondend portion of the guide rod.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the stop element isconfigured to bear against the second mounting portion when theactuation lever is in the second stable position.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the second mounting portionincludes a bottom wall delimiting at least partially the housing inwhich the compression spring is housed at least partially.Advantageously, the stop element is configured to bear against thebottom wall when the actuation lever is in the second stable position.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the second end portion ofthe compression spring bears against the bottom wall of the secondmounting portion.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the first mounting portionincludes a bearing surface against which bears the first end portion ofthe compression spring.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the actuation leverincludes a first end portion hingedly mounted on the support body aboutthe second hinge axis, a second end portion opposite to the first endportion, and an intermediate portion disposed between the first andsecond end portions, the second mounting portion being hingedly mountedon the intermediate portion of the actuation lever.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the intermediate portion isarcuate.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the actuation levercomprises a protective surface, and the biasing device and the actuationlever are configured so that, when the clamping element is in theclamping position, the protective surface is farther from the first andsecond clamping jaws than the compression spring. These arrangementsallow limiting further the risks of insertion of a signal cablebelonging to the transportation installation between the coils of thecompression spring, and therefore the risks of unintentional opening ofthe coupling device.

In other words, the biasing device and the actuation lever areconfigured so that, when the clamping element is in the clampingposition, the compression spring is disposed setback from the protectivesurface and at the side of the first and second clamping jaws.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the protective surface isdisposed opposite to the first and second clamping jaws when theclamping element in the clamping position.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the declutch/clutch elementincludes a declutch/clutch roller movably mounted in rotation about anaxis of rotation carried by the actuation lever.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the connecting arm includesa first arm portion connected to the second clamping jaw, and a secondarm portion on which the first mounting portion is hingedly mounted, thefirst and second arm portions being inclined with respect to each other.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the coupling device isconfigured so that a passage of the actuation lever from its firststable position to its second stable position induces a pivoting of theactuation lever opposite to the first and second clamping jaws.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the actuation lever extendsalong a first general direction of extension when the actuation lever isin the first stable position, and along a second general direction ofextension when the actuation lever is in the second stable position, theinclination angle between the first general direction of extension ofthe actuation lever and a general direction of extension of the supportbody is larger than the inclination angle between the second generaldirection of extension of the actuation lever and the general directionof extension of the support body.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the inclination anglebetween the first general direction of extension of the actuation leverand the general direction of extension of the support body is comprisedbetween 70 and 110°.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the inclination anglebetween the second general direction of extension of the actuation leverand the general direction of extension of the support body is comprisedbetween 0 and 40°, and for example between 0 and 30°.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the coupling device isconfigured so that a passage of the actuation lever from its firststable position to its second stable position induces a pivotingdownwardly of the actuation lever.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the coupling device isconfigured so that the second end portion of the actuation lever isfarther from the first and second clamping jaws when the actuation leveris in the second stable position than when the actuation lever is in thefirst stable position.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the coupling device isconfigured so that the second end portion of the actuation lever iscloser to the support body when the actuation lever is in the secondstable position than when the actuation lever is in the first stableposition.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the actuation lever ishingedly mounted on an upper portion of the support body.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the coupling deviceincludes running rollers mounted on the support body and configured tocooperate with guide elements belonging to the transportationinstallation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Anyway, the invention will be better understood using the followingdescription with reference to the appended schematic drawing showing, asa non-limiting example, an embodiment of this coupling device:

FIGS. 1 and 2 are perspective views of a coupling device according tothe invention.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the coupling device of FIG. 1 coupled to atraction cable.

FIGS. 4 and 5 are side views of the coupling device of FIG. 1 inintermediate operating positions.

FIG. 6 is a side view of the coupling device of FIG. 1 in a releaseposition of the traction cable.

FIGS. 7 and 8 are side views of the coupling device of FIG. 1 coupled totraction cables with different diameters.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1 to 6 show a declutchable coupling device 2, also calleddeclutchable coupling clamp, intended to couple a vehicle, for example acable car or a chairlift, to a traction cable 3 of an aerial tractioncable transportation installation. Such a coupling of the vehicle on thetraction cable 3, via the coupling device 2, allows displacing thevehicle between two end stations of the transportation installation.According to an embodiment of the invention, the traction cable 3 is acarrier-traction cable.

The coupling device 2 comprises an elongate support body 4 extendingaccording to a general direction of extension De. The coupling device 2is configured so that, when the coupling device 2 is coupled to thetraction cable 3, the support body 4 extends transversely to thetraction cable 3, and more particularly substantially perpendicular tothe traction cable 3.

The support body 4 is intended to be connected to a hanger 5 supportinga vehicle (not shown in the figures), such as a cable car or achairlift, for example.

The support body 4 carries running rollers 6 configured to cooperatewith guide rails (not shown in the figures) belonging to thetransportation installation and disposed in the end stations of thetransportation installation. The support body 4 further carries a drivepad or cross-member 7 configured to cooperate with complementary drivemeans of the transportation installation. More particularly, the runningrollers 6 and the drive pad 7 are configured to enable a displacement ofthe coupling device 2, declutched from the traction cable 3, on andalong the guide rails.

The coupling device 2 also comprises a first clamping jaw 8 fixedlymounted relative to the support body 4. Advantageously, the firstclamping jaw 8 is disposed at a front end of the support body 4.

The coupling device 2 further comprises a clamping element 9 comprisinga second clamping jaw 11, and a connecting arm 12 extending from thesecond clamping jaw 11. According to an embodiment of the invention, theclamping element 9 is made in one-piece part. Nonetheless, according toanother embodiment of the invention, the second clamping jaw 11 may beattached and fastened on the connecting arm 12.

More particularly, the connecting arm 12 includes a first end portion12a secured to the second clamping jaw 11 and a second end portion 12 bopposite to the second clamping jaw 11. According to the embodimentrepresented in the figures, the connecting arm 12 is arcuate, andincludes a first arm portion 13 connected to the second clamping jaw 11,and a second arm portion 14 opposite to the second clamping jaw 11.

The clamping element 9 is hingedly mounted on the support body 4 about afirst hinge axis A between a clamping position (shown in FIG. 3) inwhich the first and second clamping jaws 8, 11 are configured to clampthe traction cable 3 and a release position (shown in FIG. 6) in whichthe first and second clamping jaws 8, 11 are configured to release thetraction cable 3. More particularly, the clamping element 9 isconfigured so that the second end portion 12 b of the connecting arm 12is closer to the support body 4 when the clamping element 9 is in therelease position, than when the clamping element 9 is in the clampingposition.

Advantageously, the coupling device 2 is configured so that the firstclamping jaw 8 is located inwardly of the coupling device 2 and thesecond clamping jaw 11 is turned outwardly of the coupling device 2.Furthermore, the first and second clamping jaws 8, 11 are advantageouslyconfigured to clamp the traction cable 3 from above.

The coupling device 2 also comprises an actuation lever 15 configured toactuate a displacement of the clamping element 9 between the clampingand release positions thereof The actuation lever 15 includes a firstend portion 16, a second end portion 17 opposite to the first endportion 16, and an intermediate portion 18 disposed between the firstand second end portions 15, 16. According to the embodiment shown in thefigures, the intermediate portion 18 is arcuate. However, theintermediate portion 18 might have another shape, and might be forexample rectilinear.

The first end portion 16 of the actuation lever 15 is hingedly mountedon an upper portion of the support body 4 about a second hinge axis Bbetween a first position (shown in FIG. 3) in which the clamping element9 is in the clamping position, and a second position (shown in FIG. 6)in which the clamping element 9 is in the release position.

More particularly, the coupling device is configured so that a passageof the actuation lever 15 from the first position to the second positioninduces a pivoting of the actuation lever 15 downwards and opposite tothe first and second clamping jaws 8, 11. The actuation lever 15 extendsalong to a first general direction of extension D1 when the actuationlever 15 is in the first stable position and along a second generaldirection of extension D2 when the actuation lever is in the secondstable position. According to an embodiment of the invention, theinclination angle between the first general direction of extension D1 ofthe actuation lever 15 and the general direction of extension De of thesupport body 4 is comprised between 70 and 110°, and the inclinationangle between the second general direction of extension D2 of theactuation lever 15 and the general direction of extension De of thesupport body is comprised between 0 and 40°, and for example between 0and 30°.

The second end portion 17 of the actuation lever 15 is equipped with adeclutch/clutch roller 19 movably mounted in rotation about an axis ofrotation 21 fastened on the second end portion 17. The declutch/clutchroller 19 is configured to cooperate with declutch and clutch rails 22belonging to the transportation installation and extending along thedisplacement path of the coupling device 2, so as to guide adisplacement of the actuation lever 15 between the first and secondpositions thereof.

Advantageously, the actuation lever 15 comprises a stop portion 23configured to cooperate with a bearing surface 24 formed on the supportbody 4, when the actuation lever 15 is in the first position. Thus, thestop portion 23 is configured to limit the pivoting stroke of theactuation lever 15 towards the first and second clamping jaws 8, 11.Advantageously, the stop portion 23 is disposed in the vicinity of thesecond hinge axis B.

In addition, the coupling device 2 comprises at least one biasing device25 interposed between the actuation lever 15 and the connecting arm 12,and configured to bias the clamping element 9 towards the clampingposition. According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the couplingdevice 2 comprises two identical biasing devices 25 symmetricallydisposed on either side of a hinge or pivot plane of the actuation lever15. Nonetheless, the coupling device 2 may comprise one single biasingdevice 25. More particularly, each biasing device 25 includes a firstmounting portion 26 hingedly mounted on the second end portion 12 b ofthe clamping element 9 about a third hinge axis C, and a second mountingportion 27 hingedly mounted on the intermediate portion 18 of theactuation lever 15 about a fourth hinge axis D. Advantageously, thefirst, second, third and fourth hinge axes A, B, C, D are substantiallyparallel.

According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the first mountingportion 26 of each biasing device 25 is intended to receive the secondhinge axis C carried by the connecting arm 12, and the second mountingportion 27 of each biasing device 25 includes a bottom wall 29 and alateral wall 31 delimiting a receiving housing 32.

Each biasing device 25 further comprises a compression spring 33 housedat least partially in the respective receiving housing 32. Thecompression spring 33 of each biasing device 25 is helical, andcomprises a first end portion bearing against a bearing face delimitedby the respective first mounting portion 26, and a second end portionbearing against the bottom wall 29 of the respective second mountingportion 27. Thus, each compression spring 33 is configured to bias therespective first and second mounting portions 26, 27 away from eachother.

Advantageously, the coupling device 2 is configured so that eachcompression spring 33 is compressed when the clamping element 9 is inthe clamping position.

Each biasing device 25 also comprises a guide rod 34 around whichextends the respective compression spring 33. Each guide rod 34comprises a first end portion secured to the respective first mountingportion 26 and a second end portion slidably mounted in a passageopening 35 delimited by the bottom wall 29 of the respective secondmounting portion 27.

Each biasing device 25 further comprises a stop element 36 configured tolimit the expansion or the detent of the respective compression spring33, and therefore the spacing of the first and second mounting portions26, 27. According to the embodiment represented in the figures, the stopelement 36 of each biasing device 25 is fastened on the second endportion of the respective guide rod 34, and is configured to bearagainst the respective bottom wall 29 when the clamping element 9 is inthe release position.

The coupling device 2 is configured so that, when the clamping element 9is in the clamping position, the fourth hinge axis D is disposed at theside of the support body 4 with respect to an imaginary straight lineconnecting the second and third hinge axes B, C, and so that, when theclamping element 9 is in the release position, the fourth hinge axis Dis disposed at the opposite side of the support body 4 with respect tothe imaginary straight line connecting the second and third hinge axesB, C.

The biasing devices 25 and the actuation lever 15 are configured todefine a toggle having a toggle axis formed by the fourth hinge axis Dand an alignment point corresponding to the alignment of the second,third and fourth hinge axes B, C, D (see FIG. 4). More particularly, thetoggle is defined so that the first and second positions of theactuation lever 15 are stable.

According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the actuation lever 15comprises a protective surface 37 disposed opposite to the first andsecond clamping jaws 8, 11, and the biasing devices 25 and the actuationlever 15 are configured so that, when the clamping element 9 is in theclamping position, the protective surface 37 is farther from the firstand second clamping jaws 8, 11 than the compression springs 33 of thebiasing devices 25. In other words, when the clamping element 9 is inthe clamping position, the compression springs 33 are disposed setbackfrom the protective surface 37 and at the side of the first and secondclamping jaws 8, 11.

The operation of the coupling device 2 will be now described consideringthat the coupling device 2 is initially coupled to a traction cable 3,and therefore the clamping element 9 is in the clamping position.

At the entrance of an end station of the transportation installation,the declutch/clutch roller 19 cooperates with a declutch rail 22 shapedto guide the actuation lever 15 towards its second stable position.Therefore, the actuation lever 15 progressively pivots opposite to thefirst and second clamping jaws 8, 11.

As the fourth hinge axis D overtakes the alignment point of the toggle,the compression spring 33 of each biasing device 25 is released and alsobiases the actuation lever 15 towards its second position. In order toavoid a brutal and noisy ejection of the actuation lever 15 towards itssecond position, the declutch rail 22 accompanies and guides theactuation lever 15 up to its second position.

Such a displacement of the actuation lever 15 causes a pivoting of theconnecting arm 12 towards the support body 4 and therefore adisplacement of the clamping element 9 to the release position, andtherefore a release of the traction cable and a declutching of thevehicle equipped with the coupling device.

After the release of the traction cable 3 by the coupling device 2, thedeclutched vehicle is guided along a transfer path, in particular bymeans of running rollers 6, until the exit of the end station.

At the exit of the end station, the declutch/clutch roller 19 cooperateswith a clutch rail (not shown in the figures) shaped to guide theactuation lever 15 towards its first position. Then, the actuation lever15 progressively pivots in the direction of the first and secondclamping jaws 8, 11, which causes a displacement of the fourth hingeaxis D towards the first and second clamping jaws 8, 11.

Such a displacement of the actuation lever 15 may be divided into afirst phase during which the clamping element 9 is displaced up to itsclamping position and the compression spring 33 of each biasing device25 is not compressed, and into a second phase during which thecompression spring 33 of each biasing device 25 is compressed.

When the fourth hinge axis D overtakes the alignment point of thetoggle, the compression spring 33 of each biasing device 25 biases theactuation lever 15 to its first stable position, and the clampingelement 9 is then stabilized in the clamping position. In order to avoida brutal and noisy displacement of the actuation lever 15 towards itsfirst position, the clutch rail accompanies and guides the actuationlever 15 up to its first position.

It goes without saying that the invention is not limited to the soleembodiment of this coupling device, described hereinabove as example,but it encompasses on the contrary all the variants.

1. A coupling device intended to couple a vehicle, for example a cablecar or a chairlift, to a traction cable of a transportationinstallation, the coupling device comprising at least: a support body, afirst clamping jaw fixedly mounted relative to the support body, aclamping element comprising a second clamping jaw and a connectingportion connected to the second clamping jaw, the clamping element beinghingedly mounted on the support body about a first hinge axis (A)between a clamping position in which the first and second clamping jawsare configured to clamp the traction cable and a release position inwhich the first and second clamping jaws are configured to release thetraction cable, a biasing device configured to bias the clamping elementtowards the clamping position, an actuation lever configured to actuatea displacement of the clamping element between its clamping and releasepositions, the actuation lever being hingedly mounted on the supportbody about a second hinge axis (B), and a declutch/clutch elementmounted on the actuation lever, the declutch/clutch element beingintended to cooperate with at least one declutch rail and at least oneclutch rail extending along the displacement path of the couplingdevice, the biasing device and the actuation lever being configured soas to define a plurality of stable positions of the actuation leverincluding a first stable position of the actuation lever in which theclamping element is in the clamping position, and a second stableposition of the actuation lever in which the clamping element is in therelease position.
 2. The coupling device according to claim 1, whereinthe biasing device and the actuation lever are configured so as todefine a toggle.
 3. The coupling device according to claim 1, whereinthe actuation lever comprises a stop portion configured to cooperatewith the support body when the actuation lever is in the first stableposition.
 4. The coupling device according to claim 1, wherein thebiasing device comprises a first mounting portion hingedly mounted onthe connecting portion about a third hinge axis (C), and a secondmounting portion hingedly mounted on the actuation lever about a fourthhinge axis (D).
 5. The coupling device according to claim 4, which isconfigured so that, when the clamping element is in the clampingposition, the fourth hinge axis (D) is disposed at the side of the firstand second clamping jaws with respect to an imaginary straight lineconnecting the second and third hinge axes (B, C), and so that, when theclamping element is in the release position, the fourth hinge axis (D)is disposed at the opposite side of the first and second clamping jawswith respect to the imaginary straight line connecting the second andthird hinge axes (B, C).
 6. The coupling device according to claim 4,wherein the first, second, third and fourth hinge axes (A, B, C, D) aresubstantially parallel.
 7. The coupling device according to claim 4,wherein the biasing device further comprises a compression springconfigured to bias the first and second mounting portions away from eachother.
 8. The coupling device according to claim 7, wherein the secondmounting portion delimits a housing in which the compression spring ishoused at least partially.
 9. The coupling device according to claim 7,wherein the biasing device further comprises a guide rod around whichextends the compression spring, the guide rod comprising a first endportion secured to the first mounting portion and a second end portionslidably mounted in a passage opening delimited by the second mountingportion.
 10. The coupling device according to claim 7, wherein thebiasing device comprises a stop element configured to limit theexpansion of the compression spring.
 11. The coupling device accordingto claim 4, wherein the actuation lever includes a first end portionhingedly mounted on the support body about the second hinge axis (B), asecond end portion opposite to the first end portion, and anintermediate portion disposed between the first and second end portions,the second mounting portion being hingedly mounted on the intermediateportion of the actuation lever.
 12. The coupling device according toclaim 4, wherein the actuation lever comprises a protective surface, andthe biasing device and the actuation lever are configured so that, whenthe clamping element is in the clamping position, the protective surfaceis farther from the first and second clamping jaws than the compressionspring.
 13. The coupling device according to claim 1, which isconfigured so that a passage of the actuation lever from its firststable position to its second stable position induces a pivoting of theactuation lever opposite to the first and second clamping jaws.
 14. Thecoupling device according to claim 2, wherein the actuation levercomprises a stop portion configured to cooperate with the support bodywhen the actuation lever is in the first stable position.
 15. Thecoupling device according to claim 2, wherein the biasing devicecomprises a first mounting portion hingedly mounted on the connectingportion about a third hinge axis (C), and a second mounting portionhingedly mounted on the actuation lever about a fourth hinge axis (D).16. The coupling device according to claim 3, wherein the biasing devicecomprises a first mounting portion hingedly mounted on the connectingportion about a third hinge axis (C), and a second mounting portionhingedly mounted on the actuation lever about a fourth hinge axis (D).17. The coupling device according to claim 14, which is configured sothat, when the clamping element is in the clamping position, the fourthhinge axis (D) is disposed at the side of the first and second clampingjaws with respect to an imaginary straight line connecting the secondand third hinge axes (B, C), and so that, when the clamping element isin the release position, the fourth hinge axis (D) is disposed at theopposite side of the first and second clamping jaws with respect to theimaginary straight line connecting the second and third hinge axes (B,C).
 18. The coupling device according to claim 15, which is configuredso that, when the clamping element is in the clamping position, thefourth hinge axis (D) is disposed at the side of the first and secondclamping jaws with respect to an imaginary straight line connecting thesecond and third hinge axes (B, C), and so that, when the clampingelement is in the release position, the fourth hinge axis (D) isdisposed at the opposite side of the first and second clamping jaws withrespect to the imaginary straight line connecting the second and thirdhinge axes (B, C).
 19. The coupling device according to claim 16, whichis configured so that, when the clamping element is in the clampingposition, the fourth hinge axis (D) is disposed at the side of the firstand second clamping jaws with respect to an imaginary straight lineconnecting the second and third hinge axes (B, C), and so that, when theclamping element is in the release position, the fourth hinge axis (D)is disposed at the opposite side of the first and second clamping jawswith respect to the imaginary straight line connecting the second andthird hinge axes (B, C).
 20. The coupling device according to claim 19,wherein the first, second, third and fourth hinge axes (A, B, C, D) aresubstantially parallel.